This site uses cookies. Cookies are used to make the website work better, as well as to provide information on how the site is used. By continuing to use our site, we’ll assume you’re okay with this. Read more about the Cookies used here.
Independent advice for special educational needs and disability (SEND)
You can get advice, information and someone to speak for you if you’re having difficulties with getting your child the help and care that they need. The organisations that offer advice and someone to speak for you are independent of Leicestershire County Council, schools and the health service.
Health and social care
Contact Healthwatch Leicestershire to ask for:
- someone to step in, to speak to a healthcare provider (such as a GP or dentist), for you
- help to make a complaint about health or social care services
- information about what care you or your child can get
Your child’s condition
Search our Family Information Directory for community and parent groups that can give you advice about your child’s disability or condition.
Education
There are 2 organisations you can contact for advice about your rights and what you can do about:
- problems with your child’s school
- your child being excluded from school
- asking for an assessment
- annual reviews of your child’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan
- disability discrimination
SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS Leicestershire)
Telephone: 0116 305 5614
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to 4pm
Email: sendiass@leics.gov.uk
More information about SENDIASS
Independent Parental Special Educational Advice (IPSEA) helpline
If you can't find the information you are looking for on their website, the helpline now operates as a call back service offering 30 minute telephone advice sessions that you can book at a time to suit you (subject to availability):
IPSEA call back service
Help with assessments
You can get an independent supporter to help you and your child with assessments for SEND Support Plans and EHC Plans. They can also help you if you disagree with a decision.
An independent supporter can:
- help you prepare for meetings
- go with you to meetings
- explain the assessment process to you and talk through what your child can get
- help you to write your views
They can’t:
- make decisions for you
- go to meetings without you
- help you with other family problems – their role is to help you with the assessment process
To get an independent supporter you can contact the following service:
SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS Leicestershire)
Telephone: 0116 3055614
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to 4pm
Email: sendiass@leics.gov.uk
More information about SENDIASS
Residents of Leicester city should contact SENDIASS Leicester.
Disagreements
There are independent organisations that can help you solve: